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The Power of Mentalizing: An introductory guide on mentalizing, attachment, and epistemic trust for mental health care workers

Online ISBN:
9780191990458
Print ISBN:
9780198880677
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

The Power of Mentalizing: An introductory guide on mentalizing, attachment, and epistemic trust for mental health care workers

Joost Hutsebaut,
Joost Hutsebaut
Clinical Psychologist de Viersprong, Tilburg University
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Liesbet Nijssens,
Liesbet Nijssens
Clinical psychologist
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Miriam van Vessem
Miriam van Vessem
Clinical psychologist
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Published online:
23 November 2023
Published in print:
12 October 2023
Online ISBN:
9780191990458
Print ISBN:
9780198880677
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

This book provides the most accessible reading on mentalizing on the market. It is written for a wide range of professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and nurses. Given its accessible language and wide range of examples, it may also be read by non-clinicians, like teachers or parents. Mentalizing refers to the capacity to understand one’s own and other persons’ behaviour based upon underlying feelings, thoughts, and intentions, and is crucial to successfully navigate in the social world. If we mentalize more and better, that is, give more attention to our own feelings, thoughts, desires, and intentions as well as to those of others, our interactions will be more pleasant and feel safer. This applies to every relationship—those with our children and pupils, and those with our partners and colleagues. The authors of this book draw on the rich developmental psychology literature on attachment, mentalizing, and epistemic trust. They use several examples to explain what it takes to really connect. In addition, they challenge the reader to self-reflect and to become a slightly better version of themselves.

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